Congratulations Bill!

Something has got to give here. I can't see the management just sitting idly by. Either a big trade is going to happen or there will be a coaching change! Most likely the latter! There is a lot of talent on this team. There is no reason for these abysmal performances!
- Cable2k

There are many reasons:
1) poor defensive play (forwards included)
2) poor goaltending
3) no 60 minute efforts
4) 3rd period futility
5) abysmal seasons from several players

I could continue listing reasons but what's the point? I'm not a sadist!

There are many reasons:
1) poor defensive play (forwards included)
2) poor goaltending
3) no 60 minute efforts
4) 3rd period futility
5) abysmal seasons from several players

I could continue listing reasons but what's the point? I'm not a sadist!
- aantny88

The fact was that this team got worse after last season, not better. Homer swung for the fences and whiffed. Then in desperation he offer sheeted Weber. Strike 3. Why anyone would have expected these guys to be better is beyond me. Bryz had been our MVP until the last few games. The D in front has been gut wrenching lay bad. Most of our guys up front are mailing it in. And to top it off , we have had devastating injuries. This is not a playoff team as structured with our 5-6 pairing and only half the offense showing up. No excuse for their lack of "jam".

Congrats on the birth of your little one Bill! Fun times ahead.

if I am Snider I let the team and the staff finish out the season. I bring in a new GM (Hexy) and let him pick a coach and make the draft selections. The Flyers could have a lottery pick but another rebuild could be hard to swallow?

This team is just not good defensively. Gervais and Gustaffson are brutal. Just brutal. Then they have long stretches with lack of effort. Those are leadership problems. I just dont think this team is fast or hungry enough to play the coachs system. Either he has to adapt to his personnel or go.

The fact was that this team got worse after last season, not better. Homer swung for the fences and whiffed. Then in desperation he offer sheeted Weber. Strike 3. Why anyone would have expected these guys to be better is beyond me. Bryz had been our MVP until the last few games. The D in front has been gut wrenching lay bad. Most of our guys up front are mailing it in. And to top it off , we have had devastating injuries. This is not a playoff team as structured with our 5-6 pairing and only half the offense showing up. No excuse for their lack of "jam".
- section32

I give Homer credit for trying and the Flyers almost always land the free agent prize they seek, but not this time around. When you offer contracts to Suter and Weber like they did, you are telling the entire league where your problem area is...defense. The 5-6 pairing with Gus and Gervais has not been good, but I don't think they are the major problem with this team. Too many guys that had great years last year are terrible this season...Couturier, Talbot, Coburn, etc. Briere and Timonen have both been on the decline for some time now. Plugging holes with Gagne and Knuble has done nothing but put a bandaid on a gunshot wound!

if I am Snider I let the team and the staff finish out the season. I bring in a new GM (Hexy) and let him pick a coach and make the draft selections. The Flyers could have a lottery pick but another rebuild could be hard to swallow?
- vejim

One bad season and you want to clean house? Bit trigger happy this morning aren't we! Replacing Homer and Lavy I don't believe will have the desired results. When is the last time the Flyers drafted a good goalie or defenseman and stuck with them to watch their development? Short answer...they haven't and don't. The organizational philosophy needs to change by showing some patience with the young talent.

Whoa! Everybody needs to calm down. This is a very talented young team dealing with an entirely predictable sophomore slump. It would be crazy to over react by making too many changes.

Bryzgalov is overworked and needs a good back up. Nothing needs to be done on his contract for another year. Ottawa has great depth in goaltending and Holmgren should talk with Murray.

Long term the Flyers need a #1 Dman and that has to be their priority over the summer. Phoenix probably has the best depth.

One bad season and you want to clean house? Bit trigger happy this morning aren't we! Replacing Homer and Lavy I don't believe will have the desired results. When is the last time the Flyers drafted a good goalie or defenseman and stuck with them to watch their development? Short answer...they haven't and don't. The organizational philosophy needs to change by showing some patience with the young talent.
- aantny88

seems like Homer always overpays in his trades and signings. Do you think Homer can change?

It's the first time all season Bylsma has made the proper adjustments. You are giving him too much credit. We played the worst period of Penguin hockey last night - no discipline; no heart. Well, they showed it the final 40 minutes.

You blew the game. Yes. Each time we jump out to a 2-0 lead, we blow them - without question. We have blown more games in this series, see last year's play-offs and the second game this season, than you have.

It's utterly amazing that neither team can win on their own ice in this series anymore and no lead is safe.

We all know Briere is playing like a turd. But girouxs effort int the 3rd period was inexcusable as a captain. Soft plays everywhere.

Whoa! Everybody needs to calm down. This is a very talented young team dealing with an entirely predictable sophomore slump. It would be crazy to over react by making too many changes.

Bryzgalov is overworked and needs a good back up. Nothing needs to be done on his contract for another year. Ottawa has great depth in goaltending and Holmgren should talk with Murray.

Long term the Flyers need a #1 Dman and that has to be their priority over the summer. Phoenix probably has the best depth.
- spatso

#1 Dmen don't grow on trees. Explain this to me...who is the #1 dman in Anaheim? How about Montreal? Vancouver? New Jersey? Point is you don't need a bonafide #1 dman to be successful...

Long term the Flyers need a #1 Dman and that has to be their priority over the summer. Phoenix probably has the best depth.
- spatso

OEL for the 1st(assuming it is a 6-10 pick) and Read. If Carter with a very cap friendly long term deal cost the 8th overall and Voracek I don't know how Read and what is very likely to be a top 10 pick would not get it done.

Whoa! Everybody needs to calm down. This is a very talented young team dealing with an entirely predictable sophomore slump. It would be crazy to over react by making too many changes.

Bryzgalov is overworked and needs a good back up. Nothing needs to be done on his contract for another year. Ottawa has great depth in goaltending and Holmgren should talk with Murray.

Long term the Flyers need a #1 Dman and that has to be their priority over the summer. Phoenix probably has the best depth.
- spatso

Agreed. I don't want any young talent shipped out. They won't find success playing this style with this stable of dmen. Chicago has 2 #1's and 2 excellent young mobile guys in hjalmarrson and leddy. Pitt has a Norris caliber guy and 2 of the best players in the world and they aren't world beaters playing this style. Without Pronger this just isn't working

seems like Homer always overpays in his trades and signings. Do you think Homer can change?
- vejim

I agree about overpaying Bryz and even Timonen's new one year deal...other than that I think he has done fairly well. Tried and missed on Suter and Weber. It happens sometimes. I'd make the Richards and Carter trades again in a heartbeat!

We all know Briere is playing like a turd. But girouxs effort int the 3rd period was inexcusable as a captain. Soft plays everywhere.
- Just5

The locker room is where Pronger is missed most in my opinion. This team has fire, don't get me wrong, but they do lack voice.

OEL for the 1st(assuming it is a 6-10 pick) and Read. If Carter with a very cap friendly long term deal cost the 8th overall and Voracek I don't know how Read and what is very likely to be a top 10 pick would not get it done.
- hereticpride

If I'm the flyers this trade would have to happen

seems like Homer always overpays in his trades and signings. Do you think Homer can change?
- vejim

He didn't overpay on Richards and Carter. He got four good players for the price of two.

OEL for the 1st(assuming it is a 6-10 pick) and Read. If Carter with a very cap friendly long term deal cost the 8th overall and Voracek I don't know how Read and what is very likely to be a top 10 pick would not get it done.
- hereticpride

JMO, OEL is better than Carter was in Philly. He is already one of the best two-way blueliners in the game at a young age. Carter wasn't one of the top at his position. While the value might seem somewhat fair, no chance should Phoenix do that using Jeff Carter as your ammo. Phoenix needs to build with OEL and send Yandle for a nice package.

Does anyone think Briere is hurt? He looked like crap'ola last night...and yea Bill "we knew..." everything you stated in this blog, buy yet we all sat there and watch the game. Buy unlike the team, at the end of the first period we were probably all saying "this game is not in the bag"....but we as the fans just don't know which team is going to show up for which period. And besides Schenn and Rinaldo, did everyone on this team forget how to hit someone. Come on, this is the NHL for goodness sake. when that game when to 4-3, you could see the "holy S$#T" feeling on the ice. The were skating around thinking about it way too much instead of playing their game...the 1st period was awesome...they were flying around clearing pucks, guys in front of the net etc...everything that we expect a good hockey team to do...after that forget it...

UGGGG frustrating!!!!!!

OEL for the 1st(assuming it is a 6-10 pick) and Read. If Carter with a very cap friendly long term deal cost the 8th overall and Voracek I don't know how Read and what is very likely to be a top 10 pick would not get it done.
- hereticpride

Read only has 1 year after this one on his contract before he becomes a UFA. I don't think he has a lot of value to a team like Phoenix. If he was going to be an RFA, than maybe

He didn't overpay on Richards and Carter. He got four good players for the price of two.
- Feanor

I know you all love Homer but lets face the facts, the team is not progressing

JMO, OEL is better than Carter was in Philly. He is already one of the best two-way blueliners in the game at a young age. Carter wasn't one of the top at his position. While the value might seem somewhat fair, no chance should Phoenix do that using Jeff Carter as your ammo. Phoenix needs to build with OEL and send Yandle for a nice package.
- Oneonta Penguin

We are the flyers and we demand OEL. Phoenix should be content that their allowed to ice a team

if I am Snider I let the team and the staff finish out the season. I bring in a new GM (Hexy) and let him pick a coach and make the draft selections. The Flyers could have a lottery pick but another rebuild could be hard to swallow?
- vejim

this is not a bad thought, but a rebuild is not necessary. i would bring in murray for the rest of the season to re-instill a defensive mentality that would benefit the younger players.

an org durable philosophy more along the lines of NJ or DET is what i've wanted for a while. the whole fiasco w/ the inability to draft/develop top 4 dmen and goalies has to end.

I know you all love Homer but lets face the facts, the team is not progressing
- vejim

How can we face facts when you only want to look at facts that support your view? You were just given facts that contradict your earlier statement and all you do is gloss over it, trolling the fan base again.